NPSL Media

Details for the 2017 NPSL National Championship Powered by Mitre Announced

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is proud to announce that the 2017 NPSL National Championship powered by Mitre will feature the Elm City Express and Midland-Odessa FC. The match will be played at Yale University’s Reese Stadium in New Haven, Connecticut on Saturday, August 12th at 8:15 pm ET. This marks the conclusion of the NPSL Playoffs powered by Mitre.

“The Elm City Express project started as an idea that my partners and I discussed over coffee,” Elm City Express Founder, President, and Co-Owner Zack Henry commented. “We thought ‘Should we do it? Should we start a pro soccer team in the Elm City? If we’re going to do it, we have to do it right.’ So we got to work. We talked to old friends and made new friends. And in just a few months we converted that potential energy into kinetic energy, doing things the right way, with great people coming on board. We saw the community embrace the project because they saw the same potential we did, to bring a pro team to soccer-crazy Connecticut. And in the end, to have the project work, to see the team succeed — well, that’s really something.”

The Express have earned the right to host this match after earning a 9-1-2 record in the regular season. Postseason wins over CD Aguiluchos USA, Clarkstown SC Eagles, Legacy 76, and TSF FC pushed the team’s overall record to 13-1-2 in 2017.

“A lot of folks love to throw around that Field of Dreams phrase ‘If you build it, they will come,’” Henry added. “I think in the case of the Elm City Express, a more fitting way of describing our journey would be ‘If you build it together, they will come together.’ From the players to the staff to the fans to the community, we’re here because we did this together.”

Tickets are available in advance online at www.elmcityexpress.com/tickets and at the gate (cash only). Pricing is as follows: adults ($10), military ($8), youth ages 6-18 ($5), and kids ages 5 and younger (free).

Parking for Elm City Express home matches is in the Yale Bowl Lot (located off of Central Avenue), available starting at 4:30 pm ET on matchday. Tailgating is allowed, but charcoal grills are not permitted.

“We’re so excited to be playing for an NPSL National Championship this Saturday night in New Haven, CT,” Midland-Odessa FC General Manager, Soccer Operations Jeff VonHolle added. It isn’t very often that teams at any level of soccer get to play for a national championship. It’s an honor to get the opportunity to do so in the NPSL.”

Midland-Odessa FC finished second in the Lone Star Conference with 7-3-0 record during the regular season. Postseason wins over Detroit City FC, Inter Nashville FC, FC Wichita, Shreveport Rafters FC, and Dutch Lions FC gave them an overall record of 12-3-0 in 2017 and the opportunity to play for a national title.

More information about the Elm City Express can be found at www.elmcityexpress.com or by following them on Twitter (@elmcityexpress), Facebook (@elmcityexpress), and Instagram (@elmcityexpress).

Further information about Midland-Odessa FC can found on www.sockersfc.org or by following the team on Twitter (@SockersFC09) and Facebook (@West.Texas.Sockers).